AN open letter to Forest of Dean District Council leader Peter Amos signed by 21 of his fellow councillors says his actions on a delegation to London have led them to lose trust in him.

A copy of the signed document sent to the Review reads: "We, the undersigned elected members of the Forest of Dean District Council, write to express our disgust at your behaviour during the council's delegation to the House of Lords on January 17.

"By absenting yourself from the delegation to take part in an interview with the BBC, you broke a solemn undertaking that you gave to other group leaders on January 13 that, having originally voted against the motion to send the delegation, you now wished to attend only to support the agreed stance of the council.

"You agreed, as did other elected members to allow the invited experts to present the council's case and for elected members only to answer questions from the peers.

"The fact that you chose not to inform other members of the delegation that you were about to do the interview with the BBC, indicates to us that you were fully aware that in so doing you were acting against your word.

"The excerpts of your interview broadcast on BBC Radio Gloucestershire show that you wished to play down the threat to the future of the Forest of Dean posed by the Public Bodies Bill. This undermined the very clear message from the Forest of Dean District Council that the delegation was sent, by resolution of Full Council, to present to members of the House of Lords.

"By acting in so dishonourable a way, you have forfeited any trust we have in your integrity and ability to lead the council. It is only the fact that this council has less than four months to run that dissuades us from tabling a formal Motion of No Confidence in your leadership."

The signatories include Cllrs Roy Birch, Sue Henchley, Bruce Hogan, Paul Hiett, Keith Aburrow, Di Martin, Philip Burford, Mike Meredith Edwards, Max Coborn, Graham Morgan, Heather Dalziel, Des Saunders, Dave East, Norman Stephens, Maria Edey, Lynn Sterry, Arthur Thomas, Nikki Goodlad, David Thomson, Gabriella Kirkpatrick and Marion Winship.